http://mmajunkie.comErin Toughill is hard at work preparing for a return to action with an eye on Strikeforce gold.

Toughill, a former professional boxer and competitor on NBC’s “American Gladiators” reincarnation, was forced to withdraw from a rematch with Marloes Coenen at “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers” in November and wants to stay active before returning to Strikeforce in the spring.

Toughill is expected to face Remy Ruyssen at Freestyle Cage Fighting on Jan. 30, the same night Coenen vies for the Strikeforce women’s 145-pound title against champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos.

“And that’s part of why I want to stay busy because they might not give me an opportunity to have another fight. I might just get the winner of (Santos vs. Coenen) in my next fight.”

Toughill (10-2-1 MMA, 0-0 SF) said she has been training for almost two months and has been in the gym since getting a clean bill of health this past November. A month earlier, her doctor discovered several ruptured ovarian cysts – the result of hard training for Coenen – that forced her to take a month of recovery time.

She said there is no guarantee the condition will not return, but she is getting regular check-ups to monitor her health.

In the meantime, a fight with Ruyssen is the perfect way to prepare for a showdown with Coenen or “Cyborg.” Toughill said Strikeforce officials have given their blessing on the fight and told her she will face the winner of the Jan. 30 title fight, which takes place in Miami. She signed a two-year contract with the promotion this past October after negotiations to face Coenen on the August 2009 “Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg” card stalled out.

Toughill isn’t concerned that a bout with Ruyssen could jeopardize an impending title shot. Of course, Ruyssen’s record stands at a 1-1, but there is always danger in this game.

“You could look at it that way, but I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do,” Toughill said. “I’m taking it day by day, and I’m going to be very confident about that.

“I never underestimate anybody. I take everybody seriously no matter what their record (is), but I know my training is going so good right now, and I’m going to beat anybody.”

Toughill has no preference regarding Coenen or “Cyborg,” but she believes Coenen – whom she defeated in 2004 – will be victorious over the Brazilian champion next weekend.

“I want to say Marloes (will win) because I think a lot of people don’t know her,” Toughill said. “She’s been around as long as I have, and she’s very tough. Had a little bad streak the last couple of fights, but she beat Roxanne Modaferri when she stepped in last minute. I think Cyborg might underestimate her, and Marloes is tough, and she has good technique.

“I think [Coenen] is much better on the ground than Cyborg. I can imagine if Cyborg tries to come in and clinch and tries to get it to the ground, I think Marloes will submit her.”

But a chance to defeat Coenen a second time wasn’t her primary motivator.

“It’s just about getting the belt,” Toughill said. “It wouldn’t matter if it was Gina or Cyborg or Marloes or Jane Smith; I really don’t care. It’s just my goal – I have one goal, and it’s to get that belt.”

With 10 years in the game, Toughill said the Strikeforce women’s 145-pound title would be a feather in her cap to justify the sacrifices she’s made as a pioneer in the sport.

“I don’t feel I have a lot to prove,” she said. “I don’t fight for anybody else anymore, which I use to when I was younger. Now, it’s just myself. I don’t really care what anybody else thinks about me. I’d like the casual fan to say there’s another good female in the mix. In all the years I’ve fought in MMA, I’ve never had the opportunity of winning the belt like this.

“I don’t think I’ve seen the best Erin Toughill there is. When I retire, I want to say that was the best I was, that was the best I could have been. I haven’t reached my peak … for whatever reason, being inconsistent or a litany of reasons. But now I’m at the point where I have experience and a lot of things on my side.

“If something happens where I don’t win the belt, at least I can say I tried.”

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